Mower deck drag link

Abstract

A mower deck drag link having a generally rectangular structure pivotably mounted between a rotary mower deck and a mowing vehicle frame. The structure has an outer rim or perimeter member and a plurality of intersecting diagonal members providing an X-shaped pattern across the perimeter member. A forward bearing housing and a rear bearing housing is on each of a left side and a right side of the perimeter member.

1 . A mower deck drag link, comprising:
 a generally rectangular structure pivotably mounted between a mowing vehicle frame and a mower deck, and having a perimeter member with a front, a left side, a right side, and a rear portion;   a plurality of diagonal members that intersect each other and extend between the perimeter member in an X-shaped bracing pattern; and   a forward pivot axis and a rear pivot axis located on each of the left side perimeter and the right side of the perimeter member.   
     
     
         2 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 1  wherein each of the forward pivot axis and the rear pivot axis include a bore with a bearing inserted therein. 
     
     
         3 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 1  wherein each forward pivot axis is lower than each rear pivot axis. 
     
     
         4 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 1  wherein the rectangular structure is a metal casting. 
     
     
         5 . A mower deck drag link, comprising:
 a metal casting having an outer rim and an X-shaped bracing pattern pivotably mounted on a forward pivot axis located on a mowing vehicle frame and on a rear pivot axis located on a mower deck.   
     
     
         6 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 5  wherein the forward pivot axis is lower than the rear pivot axis. 
     
     
         7 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 5  wherein the outer rim includes a front, a left side, a right side, and rear portion. 
     
     
         8 . A mower deck drag link, comprising:
 a generally rectangular structure pivotably mounted between a rotary mower deck and a mowing vehicle frame;   the structure having a perimeter member and a plurality of intersecting diagonal members providing an X-shaped pattern across the perimeter member; and   a forward bearing housing and a rear bearing housing on each of a left side and a right side of the perimeter member.   
     
     
         9 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 8  wherein a front of the generally rectangular structure is pivotably mounted to the mowing vehicle frame below a rear of the structure that is pivotably mounted to the rotary mower deck. 
     
     
         10 . The mower deck drag link of  claim 8  wherein the structure is pivotably mounted to the rotary deck with a pair of brackets extending above the rotary mower deck, and is pivotably mounted to the mowing vehicle frame with a pair of brackets extending below the mowing vehicle frame.